12 Famous Foods in Mathura You Cannot Miss

Mathura is a city steeped in spirituality and history. But it's not just the temples and rituals that draw people in; the food here is something else! You can find some of the best food in Mathura.

Walking through the bustling streets, you're hit with the aroma of fresh pedas, spicy kachoris, and all sorts of mouthwatering treats. Even the street food in Mathura is an experience, and every corner has a culinary delight waiting for you. 

The vibe of the city, with its mix of devotion and deliciousness, makes the whole experience truly unique. If you're a foodie, food in Mathura has got to be on your list.

We have compiled a list of Mathura’s best food for you to try.

1. Pedas
2. Aloo Kachori
3. Kadhi Pakora
4. Ghewar
5. Chaat
6. Rabri
7. Baingan Bharta
8. Jalebi
9. Besan Gatte Ki Sabzi
10. Lassi
11. Gujia
12. Kalakand
    
    

Mathura’s Special Food List
 

• Pedas

Mathura's pedas are not only the best food in Mathura but are also known across the nation. They are delicious and deeply ingrained in the city's culinary tradition. Made from khoya (milk solids) and sugar, these round, semi-soft delights are often flavoured with cardamom, lending them a distinctive aroma. The pedas have a creamy texture and a rich, milky taste, making them a favourite among locals and visitors alike. 

They are not only a popular dessert but also an essential offering in religious ceremonies, symbolizing auspiciousness and joy. The art of making pedas in Mathura has been passed down through generations, with each sweetmeat shop claiming its unique recipe and touch. The golden-brown exterior and the soft, melt-in-your-mouth interior make Mathura's pedas an unforgettable treat. 

• Aloo Kachori

Aloo Kachori is a beloved street food in Mathura. It consists of a crispy, deep-fried pastry shell filled with a spicy and tangy potato mixture. The filling is typically seasoned with a blend of spices such as cumin, coriander, garam masala, and amchur (dry mango powder), giving it a rich and flavourful taste. 

Aloo Kachori is often served hot with a side of chutney or yoghurt, making it a perfect breakfast or teatime snack. The combination of the flaky outer layer and the soft, savoury filling provides a delightful contrast in textures. It's not just a tasty food in Mathura but also showcases the city’s culinary diversity. 

• Kadhi Pakora

It is a yoghurt-based curry, thickened with gram flour (besan) and infused with a blend of spices such as turmeric, cumin, and fenugreek seeds. The curry is tangy and slightly spicy, with a rich, creamy texture. The pakoras, or gram flour dumplings, are added to the curry, soaking up the flavours and adding a delightful bite. Kadhi Pakora is a famous food in Mathura. It is often accompanied by rice or roti, making it a satisfying meal. It's a dish that exemplifies the simplicity and warmth of Mathura's home cooking, offering a taste of comfort and tradition in every spoonful. 

• Ghewar

There is rarely anyone in India who doesn't know about this special food of Mathura. Ghewar is a traditional sweet treat that is synonymous with the festive spirit of Mathura. It is a dessert made from all-purpose flour, milk, and ghee, which is then deep-fried to create a porous and sponge-like texture. The fried cake is soaked in melted sugar, giving it a sweet and syrupy taste. 

Ghewar is often garnished with slivers of nuts, saffron, and silver leaf, making it not only delicious but also visually appealing. It is especially popular during the monsoon season and festivals like Raksha Bandhan and Teej. The crispy edges and soft, juicy centre of Ghewar make it a unique and indulgent dessert cherished by locals and visitors alike. 

• Chaat

The street food in Mathura is vibrant and diverse, offering a plethora of flavours and textures. A huge part of that street food is Mathura’s chaat.

Each variety has its charm, from the tangy and spicy Aloo Tikki to the crunchy and savoury Papdi Chaat. Gol Gappas, also known as Pani Puris, are a crowd favourite, with their hollow, crispy shells filled with spicy tamarind water and chickpeas. The combination of spicy, sour, and sweet elements in Mathura's chaat makes it an irresistible street food experience. 

The freshness of the ingredients and the skilful balance of flavours reflect the city's rich street food culture, making chaat a must-try for anyone exploring Mathura's culinary delights. 

• Rabri

Rabri is a decadent dessert cherished in Mathura, known for its creamy and rich texture. It is made by simmering milk on low heat for several hours until it reduces to a thick, creamy consistency. The milk is constantly stirred and scraped off the sides of the pot, forming layers of cream (malai) that are then mixed back into the milk. 

It is flavoured with cardamom and saffron, often garnished with nuts, and has a sweet and aromatic taste. It can be served chilled or at room temperature and is a popular dessert during festivals and special occasions. The slow cooking process of rabri is a testament to the patience and love that goes into Mathura's traditional cooking. 

• Baingan Bharta

It is a beloved vegetarian dish in Mathura, showcasing the simplicity and flavour of local cuisine. It is made by roasting eggplants over flame, which imparts a smoky flavour to the flesh. It is mashed and cooked with a mixture of onions, tomatoes, garlic, and a variety of spices such as cumin, coriander, and garam masala. The result is a rich and savoury dish that is often served with roti or rice. 

Baingan Bharta is comfort food for many and reflects the agricultural lifestyle of the region, where fresh produce plays a central role in everyday cooking. While this is a famous food in Mathura, it is not a dish of the city. 

• Jalebi

It is a popular sweet in Mathura, known for its bright orange colour and coiled shape. It is made from a fermented batter of all-purpose flour, which is piped into hot oil in a spiral pattern. Once crispy, the jalebis are soaked in a saffron-infused sugar syrup, giving them a sweet and slightly tart flavour. The contrast between the crunchy exterior and the syrupy interior makes Jalebi a delightful treat. It is often enjoyed as a breakfast item with milk or yoghurt or as a dessert after meals. The sight of vendors frying jalebis in a large kadhai (woks) is a common and mouthwatering sight in Mathura's bustling streets. 

• Besan Gatte Ki Sabzi

Besan Gatte Ki Sabzi is one of the best foods in Mathura. It is a traditional Rajasthani dish that has also found a place in Mathura's culinary landscape. It consists of dumplings made from gram flour (besan) and spices, which are boiled and then cooked in a yoghurt-based curry. 

The curry is flavoured with a variety of spices, including turmeric, cumin, and coriander, creating a tangy and slightly spicy gravy. The gatte (dumplings) absorb the flavours of the curry and have a firm yet tender texture. This dish is a testament to the versatility of gram flour in Indian cuisine and is often enjoyed with rice or flatbreads. 

• Lassi

Lassi is a traditional yoghurt-based drink that is a staple in Mathura's culinary culture. It is made by blending yoghurt with water and sugar and is often flavoured with cardamom or saffron. The result is a refreshing, creamy beverage that is perfect for cooling down during the hot summer months. 

Lassi can be enjoyed plain or topped with a dollop of clotted cream (malai) for added richness. It is a delicious drink and a great way to aid digestion, making it a popular choice after meals. The simplicity and nourishing qualities of lassi make it a beloved drink among locals and visitors alike. 

• Gujia

Gujia is a traditional sweet dumpling that is especially popular in Mathura during the festival of Holi. The outer shell is made from all-purpose flour and is filled with a mixture of khoya (milk solids), grated coconut, and finely chopped nuts such as almonds and pistachios. The dumplings are deep-fried and soaked in melted sugar to give a sweet and indulgent flavour. Gujia is a festive treat that encapsulates the joy and sweetness of Mathura's celebrations. 

• Kalakand

It is a popular sweet food in Mathura made from solidified milk and sugar. The process involves simmering milk until it thickens and caramelizes, giving the sweet its characteristic brown colour and grainy texture. It is flavoured with cardamom and often garnished with pistachios or almonds. Milk Cake is a dense and rich dessert, savoured during festivals and special occasions, and is a testament to the city's love for dairy-based sweets. 

Here it is. The list of some of the finger-licking, irresistible best food in Mathura. You can enjoy these dishes even more in the city, as Mathura offers a distinctive vibe that complements its food.

If you are staying at the Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Resort in Agra, in just a short trip, you can enjoy the best food in Mathura with your loved ones.

Travelling from Agra to Mathura for its special food:

• By Train: There are several trains that run between Agra and Mathura, making it a convenient and affordable option. The journey takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on the train. Some popular trains include the Taj Express, Gatimaan Express, and Bhopal Shatabdi.
• By Bus: There are regular bus services between Agra and Mathura, operated by both government and private operators. The journey by bus can take around 2 to 3 hours, depending on traffic conditions.
• By Taxi or Private Car: Hiring a taxi or driving a private car is a comfortable and flexible option. The distance between Agra and Mathura is about 55-60 kilometres, and the drive usually takes around 1 to 1.5 hours via the Yamuna Expressway or NH 19.